| Description | Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) is an heirloom, with edible plant parts that should be used more in today's annual gardens. They can be climbing, cascading, or bushy |
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| Pronunciation | (troo-PEE-oo-lum)(MA-jus) |
| Plant Type | Annuals |
| Hardiness Zone | 9-11, annual else where |
| Sunlight | full sun, light shade |
| Moisture | prefers evenly moist, quickly wilts and easily rots if to wet |
| Soil & Site | average, well drained |
| Growing Media | average, well-drained |
| Temperature | tolerates colder temperatures, newer growth will be damaged in freezing conditions |
| Flowers | 5 petals, 2-2 1/2" across, funnel shaped with large spurs off of the back, colors: red, pink, mahogany, yellow, scarlet, orange, tangerine and bi-colors |
| Fruit | Seeds can be pickled. |
| Leaves | rounded and remind me of a lily pad, botanically called peltate; leaves contain mustard oil and are used in salads along with the flowers and buds |
| Dimensions | around 12" tall by equal spread |
| Maintenance | plants tend to flop, pruning is needed to maintain good form |
| Propagation | Seeds are very large, and can be planted "in situ" after the danger of frost has passed or direct seed into a peat pot. Nicking (scarification) or soaking overnight increases germination |
| Native Site | cool highlands of Mexico and Central America |
| Misc Facts | Edible leaves, flowers, and seedpods. Tropaeolum comes from the Latin word tropaeum meaning “a trophy”. The leaves were thought to resemble the helmets and shields that were present at Roman triumphs. Nasturtium means bitter leaves. |
| Author's Notes | I have grown this plant in baskets, pots, and gardens—a great old fashion plant. The only problem is some varieties tend to flop and open up in the center. It likes full sun but not hot dry, full sun |
| Notes & Reference | #28-Cottage Garden Annuals (Clive Lane), #37-The Contained Garden (Kenneth A. Beckett, David Carr, David ) |
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